Girl dies, could be dengue's 1st kill this year

South Delhi Municipal Corporation's data shows there have been 90 dengue cases until July 23-more than double the number of cases reported last year when there was an outbreak situation.Durgesh Nandan Jha | TNN | Updated: July 27, 2016, 15:21 IST

A 17-year-old girl from Jaffrabad, northeast Delhi, died at Lok Nayak hospital on July 21 after suffering from high fever, abdominal pain and vomiting - dengue symptoms.

Dr J C Passey, medical director of the hospital, said the girl's blood samples were being tested to confirm if dengue indeed killed her. "Her platelet count was around 50,000 at the time of admission, which is not very low. Hence, we cannot rule out other causes of death," he said.

TOI had reported on Monday how Delhi had seen a significant increase in dengue cases this year, raising fears of another outbreak.

South Delhi Municipal Corporation's data shows there have been 90 dengue cases until July 23-more than double the number of cases reported last year when there was an outbreak situation.

In 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the corresponding figures were 16, 17, 9 and 15 respectively. "Preventing mosquito breeding is municipal corporation's responsibility. The Delhi government is responsible for ensuring treatment. We are totally prepared," said health minister Satyendar Jain.

Last year, dengue had claimed over 60 lives and over 15,000 people had taken ill due to which hospitals had been flooded with few beds.

Jain said the government was planning to open 350 dengue clinics across hospitals, dispensaries and mohalla clinics to avoid crisis.

"Also, we have re-issued orders to cap the price of dengue test at Rs 600 and that of platelet count at Rs 50 at all private hospitals and laboratories," the minister added.

But doctors say this hasn't really worked. "We have totally failed in creating public awareness about prevention. Dengue-causing mosquitoes breed within homes and offices but people continue to ignore and there's little political will to spread the word. Also, there is no policy or punitive action for stagnation of work at construction sites. Large scale construction work, for government projects such as Delhi Metro or construction of houses, allows stagnation of water that are potential breeding grounds. These must be sanitised effectively," said Dr K K Aggarwal, the secretary general of Indian Medical Association.

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